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No human being is illegal. That is a contradiction in terms. Human beings can be beautiful or more beautiful, they can be fat or skinny, they can be right or wrong, but illegal? How can a human being be illegal?
Elie Wiesel
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the inherent value and legality of human existence, rejecting the idea that any person can be deemed illegal.

Elie Wiesel's quote challenges the notion of labeling individuals as 'illegal' based on their immigration status or circumstance. It underscores the fundamental truth that all human beings possess dignity and rights irrespective of legal classifications, asserting that humanity transcends the constraints of law and societal norms.

Themes

Human RightsDignityImmigrationEqualityJustice

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech advocating for immigrant rights, one could use this quote to emphasize the humanity of all individuals.

More from Elie Wiesel

The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
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With every cell of my being and with every fiber of my memory I oppose the death penalty in all forms. I do not believe any civilized society should be at the service of death. I don't think it's human to become an agent of the angel of death.
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Certain things, certain events, seem inexplicable only for a time: up to the moment when the veil is torn aside.
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We're alone, but we are capable of communicating to one another both our loneliness and our desire to break through it. You say, 'I'm alone.' Someone answers, 'I'm alone too.' There's a shift in the scale of power. A bridge is thrown between the two abysses.
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No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has escaped the kingdom of night.
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My loyalty to my people, to our people, and to Israel comes first and prevents me from saying anything critical of Israel outside Israel… As a Jew I see my role as a melitz yosher, a defender of Israel: I defend even her mistakes… I must identify with whatever Israel does – even with her errors.
Elie WieselRead

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